"I Am the Resurrection and the Life" - Jesus
Thesis: The "I Am!" proclamation of Jesus in John 11:25 revealed that Jesus is the Messiah the only One who could and would defeat death. He said He was the Resurrection and the Life then He proved it by rising from the dead.
Texts: John 11:25, 26 and John 20
Key Verses: John 11:25, 26
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Play on CD – Have the church follow along on what happened at the first Resurrection Sunday years ago - John 20:1-31
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
17Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Humor Illustrations:
A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, she asked: "And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?" A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly "I know, I know!" "Good" said the teacher, "Tell us, what were Jesus first words." And Extending her arms high into the air she said: "TA-DA!"
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Ken Kersten
A Sunday School teacher was attempting to teach her young students the true meaning of Easter. "Why do we celebrate Easter?" she asked. When the children replied ’because of the Easter bunny,’ Easter eggs, candy, spring, etc., she said, "No, those are Easter traditions and symbols, but what is the REASON why we celebrate Easter? What happened at the very first Easter?" A little girl raised her hand and said, "Easter celebrates Jesus coming out of the tomb." "Yes!" said the teacher, excited and relieved that finally the correct answer had surfaced. Encouraged, she prompted, "Jesus arose from the tomb, and what does He do for us?" The youngster replied, "He looks to see if he can see his shadow, and if He can, he goes back in for another six weeks."
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Abraham Shanklin, Jr.
Introduction:
Today we celebrate Easter the Day Jesus rose from the dead and proved that He was the long promised Messiah of the Old Testament. His resurrection proved that He could and would do as he has promised in His Word.
The Gospel of John and Christ’s I AM statement of “I am the resurrection and the life” revealed that Christ is the God of the Old Testament and the Promised Messiah of the Resurrection. He is from the beginning and He will be there in the end because He is the great "I Am", He is the living Word manifested in the flesh. He is the One and only one who could and would defeat the sting of death and bring about new life.
The Gospel of John emphasizes the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. No other Gospel portrays more clearly His humanity, nor does any other assert so directly the prerogatives of deity (198, Tenney).
AN EASTER PARABLE: EDITH EASTER
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.
When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.
Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it’s all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don’t call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room."
After being called back in the doctor’s office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I’m the doctor and you’re the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you’re not going to live very long." Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I’m going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!" Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"
Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I’m very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."
Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse. Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won’t work. I’m not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.
Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I’m praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith’s room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I’m so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day." Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, ’Do you believe in Easter?’ but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked..."
Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it’s Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!" Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies ecause she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter. When she walked into Edith’s room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face.
When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith’s hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, " And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith’s body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
SOURCE: Bible teacher Russell Kelfer of Wayside Chapel in San Antonio, TX. Mr. Kelfer died in 2000. Contributed to Sermon Central by: Harvie Neatherlin
Read Text: John 11
I. JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. (John 11:25)
A. Jesus promise of the Resurrection for believers is first introduced at this point in His the ministry when He raises Lazarus from the dead.
1. Lazarus was an example of Christ’s resurrection power and his ability to defeat death. John 11:1-46:
a. Text John 11:1-: 1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick. 4When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 7Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
8“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?” 9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.” 11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” 45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
b. Thoughts from John 11 to think about.
1). Opening thoughts on chapter: It is interesting to note that Christ three times exerts His resurrection power over death in Scriptures. He raised Jairus daughter, He raised the son of the widow of Nain and Lazarus.
a). Moody notes " It is a peculiar thing, you cannot get any instruction in the Bible as to how to conduct a funeral, for Jesus broke up every funeral He ever attended, by raising the dead."
2). John 11:1 thought - Note the emphasis on Mary and Martha’s town. I believe this shows how the word of God judges a city or town. He does not judge it by how many rich and famous there are in the town but by the devoted and faithful followers of his in the town.
3). John 11:4 key thought - Christ knew before He went to Lazarus that He would not die. He declared it and at that moment it was so.
4). John 11:6 key thought - The idea of Jesus staying two more days cast doubt on Jesus’ ministry. But Jesus had to finish his work in the area. Then He would proceed to raise Lazarus. The problem to some was he did not just drop what he was doing and return. He waited. Important lesson to learn - God is in no hurry! He said he would not die and he meant it. God is always in control of the situation he is never to late.
a). If He makes a promise He keeps it.
5). John 11:8 key thought - The Disciples where afraid of Jesus returning for fear he would be killed. Jesus reminds them that He follows the true light. He will never let the fear of man dictate his next move. He always follows the Fathers guidance.
6). John 11:21 key thought - Martha’s response to Jesus the "If you were here" it’s the age old "What If question" Note we always want to know why tragedy happens to Christians. In our scientific age when we have answers for everything, we feel we have a right to know!
7). John 11:22 Yet she still voices her faith in Christ. She knew He had the power but did she really believe it?
8). John 11:24 Her answer reflects her belief he will do it later at His resurrection but surely he could not do it now physically.
9). John 11:25 Christ reminds her who He is "I AM" is here. He is the one who spoke to Moses and if he desires to raise the dead they will to rise to life. We sometimes need to be reminded the great "I AM" is here even in the midst of trials and tribulations.
10). John 11:26 Jesus once again confronts her on her unbelief and asks do you believe that "I AM!"
11). John 11:27 She responds with the affirmation of His deity. But does she believe it?
12). John 11:28-37 Jesus asks to see Mary who did not come. Was she angry with the Lord? Disappointed? She comes when He calls her. Notice her first response, "If you were here?"
a). Perhaps because some of us doubt our own wisdom regarding the acts that proceed our friend or relatives death, or because we doubt our part in our relations with him or her, we want to question God. In other words, we want to transfer our questions about ourselves on to God. This same dynamic worked on both sisters.
b). What was God’s response to the suffering of the two sisters? He wept and mourned with them. He felt their pain and hurt and He could empathize with them.
c). Swindoll noted that when you are in despair or hurting or in a trial get ready for a miracle. Needs and problems are always followed by a miracle. Why? Because Jesus is the resurrection and the Life and He is in the miracle working business.
1). Oh by the way if you want a miracle tonight and you don’t have any problems we are willing to pray that God will give you a problem so you can then receive a miracle.
13). Vs. 39 - Note Martha once again wants to remind Jesus that he is dead. It’s interesting that Martha is like us we want to tell God how to do his miracles and remind him of the natural limitations.
2. Here are some of the promises of Resurrection from the mouth of Jesus to those who believe.
a. Those who participate in the Resurrection will be rewarded.
1.) Note Luke 14:13-14: "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
b. Those who participate in the Resurrection will die no more.
1.) Luke 20:35-36: "But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection".
a). Those who participate through their faith in the Resurrection will no longer have to face death.
c. Those who believe in the Resurrection will live for God for all eternity. Because He is the God of the living!
1.) Luke 20:37-38: "But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord `the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."
e. Those who believe in Resurrection of life will participate in it literally because they have done good not evil.
1.) John 5:29-29: "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."
f. Those who believe will be raised up at last day.
1.) John 6:39; 44 "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day". (44) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."
g. When we reach death and we are believers in Jesus even though we may die physically dead we will still be alive.
1.) John 11:25: "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."
B. Here are the Promises of life as they come from the world’s point of view and from the Word’s point of view.
1. The Fountain of Youth (sometimes called life) there are many today still searching for it.
a. The Fountain of Youth is legendarily a spring and is supposed to restore the health and youth of anyone who drank from it. It was sought in America by Ponce de Leon and other explorers. There are still those looking for it. They are looking for it in science and medical ability.
1.) Medical science is looking for it through lengthened life with electronic substitutes for worn out hearts, lungs, and kidneys.
2.) Sociology and science are looking for it through increased life spans. Life expectancies reports: In 1977, the life expectancy of man is 71 years in developed countries, and 52 years in less developed countries. Modern medicine has lengthened these recent statistics from a life expectancy of 47 years in 1900. Now they say the average life expectancy is 75-80 years.
3.) Talking and Long Life: A Soviet gerontologist published research statistics that could transform the old adage, "He kills me with is chatter" into "He’s killing himself with his chatter." Professor Gurianin says his statistics show that the lesser one talks, the longer one lives. Anyone in the conference industry knows that constant talking exhausts one physically and mentally, and ages one prematurely. Deaf people, hermits, shepherds and monks -- all usually taciturn -- are known for living long lives.
4.) Nutrition - Proper diet and habits.
a. Overweight And Mortality Rate: Life insurance studies show that those who are overweight for their height and age have higher mortality rates than those of average weight or less-than-average weight. Thus, men 10 percent overweight has an excess of 13 percent mortality; those 20 percent overweight, has an excess of 25 percent mortality; those 30 percent overweight, 42 percent mortality. Among women are much the same conditions. Those 10 percent overweight shows an excess mortality of 9 percent; those 20 percent overweight, 21 percent excess mortality; those 30 percent overweight, 30 percent mortality. The penalty for overweight appears to be lighter for women than for men.
b. Insurance companies point out that if persons of any particular build keep their weight down to the average in the early twenties, it would be fairly close to the desirable weight at ages over 25 and they tell you this will increase your life.
5.) Some just believe if you live right you will live long and prosper: Illustration: The Art of Living Long
a. Thomas A. Edison’s great-grandfather once happened to read the book, "The Art of Living Long", by Cornaro, an Italian nobleman. He adopted the rules regarding eating, drinking and fresh air laid down in that book and lived to the age of 102 years. Edison’s grandfather also following the same rules, attained to the age of 103 years; and all of his seven sons, pursuing the same course of abstemious living, rounded out the goodly age of more than ninety years each. One of them, Edison’s father, reached the age of ninety-four, and passed away without apparent illness. -- Rev. Henry M. Tyndall.
6.) People are always seeking ways to increase their life but there is only one way to increase a life for eternity, He is the great "I am" and his promise of life is more than just futuristic. To better understand what Jesus meant by life lets look at the definition of this word from the Greek.
2. The meaning of the Greek word for Zoe (life) from the Word of God describes for us what really is “life.”
a. Definition - means of sustenance, of supernatural life belonging to God & Christ which believes will receive in the future, but which they also enjoy here and now.
b. Zoe is found 35 times in John and 133 times in the New Testament.
c. Zoe is used in reference to Christ being life. It is the central theme in John. Note John’s purpose for writing his Gospel. John 20:31."But these are written that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
d. History and culture and use of the term Zoe.
a. Term life is used in the Old Testament in the popular sense. Orr notes: "It meant life in the body, the existence and activity of the man in all his parts and energies." (180).
b. The Old Testament thought, was the body was necessary for life and they had no desire to be separated from it. They also believed that the source of life was when a man had a relationship with God. Orr states, "The real center of gravity in life was in the moral and religious part of man’s nature. This must be in fellowship with God, the source of all life and activity." (1888)
c. The term Zoe corresponds very closely to the Hebrew word hayyim, and means the Vhal principle, the state of one who is animate, the fullness of activities and relationship both in physical and spiritual realms. (1889)
d. Zoe is the chief theme in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, this life was through fellowship with God. In the New Testament it is through Jesus Christ the Mediator.
e. In the New Testament as the Old Testament, the center of gravity in human life is in the moral and religious nature of man. (1889)
f. John’s main theme is life. He wrote the book to show the readers how to have life. John shows that life represents Jesus the Logos as the origin and the means of all life to the world. God gave Jesus life in Himself who in turn gave life to the world. John’s prevailing meaning of life is in reference to those activities which are the expressions of fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. These relationships are called "eternal life". (1889)
e. Life is found in the Resurrected Christ – no were else- (application)
1.) The miracles of raising the dead which Jesus wrought were intended not only for the relief of human sorrow, but for the demonstration of His ability and power to overcome even the death itself.
2.) In Jesus was life; and by Jesus resurrection and sacrifice He brought the life of God back to this world filled with death and sin.
3.) The key thought to this chapter is that the Christ gives life to the dead and He is the master over death. Death could not hold him down and this tells us it will not hold us down if we belong to the Lord.
a.) Note: Pulpits thought - Christ presents himself as the Divine Object of faith. It is no arbitrary connection which is exhibited in these words of our Redeemer as existing between faith and life. Life is personal, and spiritual life comes from the Lord and Giver of life to those who believe. Faith is spiritual union with the Christ who died and rose for us, and is the means, first of a death unto sin and a life unto righteousness, and then of all which this spiritual change involves. A life in God is a life eternal (108).
3. Christ’s many promises of life and life more abundantly.
a. Those who believe will receive life and commune with Christ for eternity.
1.) Rev. 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
b. Those who believe will have Life and life more abundantly
1.) John 10: 9-10: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
c. Those who believe I Christ and chose to follow His way will receive the knowledge of God’s will
1.) John 7:17: "If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”
d. Those who believe and come to Jesus will find rest for the soul in the here and now.
1.) Matt. 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
e. Those who come to Christ and believe will find Christ’s peace in the journey of life.
1.) John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
f. Those who believe and follow Jesus will find the joy of the Lord in their life. This is what makes life fun.
1.) John 15:11: "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
g. Those who believe and put their trust in Jesus will see that the gates of Hell will not prevail against them.
1.) Matt. 16:18: 8And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
CONCLUSION:
Christ is the life giver NOW not just in the future in regards to life after death. It’s important to know that Christ gives life now in the present. He is in the business of saving lives today! So today is the best day to find New Life and be able to celebrate in the Resurrection of the living.
Jesus is the "Resurrection" He is the master over death. He is the living proof of resurrection and that He is the great "I am" of the OT. He is the first begotten from the dead. He is the author of the resurrection has offered it to those who believe and place their faith in Him. Jesus also told us in John 11 that He is able to give more than just the resurrection He is able to give us Life. He is the giver of eternal life of both soul and spirit. He gives his people life not only in the future but right now in the present and He is here today to bestow on you.
Bruce Larson said, “The events of Easter cannot be reduced to a creed or philosophy. We are not asked to believe the doctrine of the resurrection. We are asked to meet this person raised from the dead. In faith, we move from belief in a doctrine to a knowledge of a person. Ultimate truth is a person. We met him. He is alive!”
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Scott Sharpes
I add “Then we are Alive!”
The question Jesus asked of Martha is also being asked of you today, “Do you believe He is the resurrection and the life and that He is the one who can give you the power over death so that you will live for all eternity?”
“Do you believe this?”
